Adjustable holding device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable holding device for holding automobile bumpers or the like while work is being performed on them. The device includes a support base having a vertical component defining a cradle, and a rotatable cylinder horizontally mounted on the cradle for adjustable swinging movement. At least two engaging elements for engagement with the edges of a bumper are mounted in parallel on the rotatable cylinder. Also included is a holding mechanism mounted on the engaging elements which is used for holding a bumper in position when it is engaged with the engaging elements, and a brake mechanism for holding the rotatable cylinder on the cradle in any adjusted position.

United States Patent Gettinger [54] ADJUSTABLE HOLDING DEVICE [72]lnventor: John F. Gettinger, 1500 NW. First Avenue, Fort Lauderdale,Fla. 33311 [22] Filed: June 22, 1970 [21 App]. No.: 48,093

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.837,380, June 30,

1969, Pat. No. 3,595,559.

[451 June 20, 1972 3,205,522 9/l965 Then ..248/l84X 3,595,559 7/1971Gettinger ..269/77 Primary Examiner'l'heron E. Condon AssistantExaminer-Neil Abrams AttorneySettle and Oltman ABSTRACT An adjustableholding device for holding automobile bumpers or the like while work isbeing performed on them. The device includes a support base having avertical component defining a cradle, and a rotatable cylinderhorizontally mounted on the cradle for adjustable swinging movement. Atleast two engaging elements for engagement with the edges of a bumperare mounted in parallel on the rotatable cylinder. Also included is aholding mechanism mounted on the engaging elements which is used forholding a bumper in position when it is engaged with the engagingelements, and a brake mechanism for holding the rotatable cylinder onthe cradle in any adjusted position.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUwuao m2 SHEET 10F 2 I INVENTOR.JOHN E GETTINGER.

SETTLE 8 OLTMAN.

ATT Y8 PATENTEmunzo m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN F ETTNER.

SETTLE OLTMAN.

ATfYs.

ADJUSTABLE HOLDING DEVICE REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is aContinuation-In-Part of co-pending application Ser. No. 837,380 filedJune 30, I969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,559 in the name of John F.Gettinger for Adjustable Holding Device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to an adjustable holding device for automobile bumpers and thelike. Automobile bumpers are rather expensive items to replace whendamaged. If at all possible, damaged bumpers are repaired rather thanreplaced. Damaged automobile bumpers are also salvaged from wreckedautomobiles for repair and resale in the replacement market.

2. The Prior Art When an automobile bumper is repaired it isconventionally put into a vise to hold it steady while dents are poundedout, or it is ground or welded.

It is often necessary to reposition the bumper in the vise to achievethe best working angle. This requires that the bumper be put in and outof the vise several times during the course of the repair. This is timeconsuming and uneconomical. In addition it puts a physical strain on therepairman. Moreover, it is not always possible to position the bumper inthe vise in the precise desired angle.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for holdingautomobile bumpers or similar pieces in which the work position of thebumper can be universally adjusted without removing the bumper for theapparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for holdingautomobile bumpers or similar pieces in which the work position of thebumper can be adjusted front to rear through an angle of about 180 andangled sideways left and right, and the position holding and releasemeans is foot operated, leaving the hands free for other uses.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the device of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the upper part of the device of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side eievational view of the upper part of an alternateembodiment of the device of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the rotary shaft and ratchet mechanism of thedevice of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a further embodiment of the deviceof the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device of the invention shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the device of the invention of FIG.6shown being tilted to the right;

FIG. 9 is another schematic view similar to FIG. 8 of the device of FIG.6 of the invention shown being tilted to the left; and

FIG. 10 is a front view of the device of FIG. 6 of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The adjustable holding device 10of this invention comprises a rectangular base 12 upon which is welded avertically positioned I-beam consisting of two parallel rails 16 and 18connected by a web 20 which extends approximately of the way up from thebase 12 between the rails 16 and 18. The web 20 has a slot 22 in it atthe bottom thereof. A bar 24 is horizontally positioned across the slot22 and fastened to the web 20 on each side of the slot 22. A retainingplate 26 having an orifice (not shown) in it is horizontally mountedbetween the rails 16 and 18 near the lower end of the I-beam l4 andprojects slightly outward therefrom.

A cylindrical hub 28 is horizontally mounted in the top part of theI-beam 14, between the rails 16 and I8.

A rotatable split or continuous cylinder 30 is concentrically positionedaround the hub 28, a split cylinder being shown.

A rectangular holding plate 32 having a notched upper surface 34 iswelded to one edge of the cylinder 30 and another rectangular holdingplate 36 having a notched upper surface 38 is welded to the oppositeedge of the cylinder, in parallel relation to the holding plate 32.

Two catch bars 40 and 42 are mounted between the holding plates 32 and36 at one of the ends of the plates. A rotary shaft and ratchctmechanism44 is mounted between the opposite ends of the plates.

The rotary shaft and ratchet mechanism comprises a rotatable shaft 46having a first end section 48, an enlarged diameter section 50, and asecond end section 52 adapted to receive a socket wrench 54. The shaftis supported at the first end section 48 by a bushing 56 contained inthe end of the holding plate 36 and is supported at the second endsection 52 by'a bushing 58 contained in the end of the holding plate 32.The second end section 52 of the shaft 46 extends beyond the bushing. Aratchet wheel 60 is permanently mounted on the shaft 46, adjacent theenlarged diameter section 50 on the side supported by the bushing 58.

A pawl 62 having a handle 64 attached thereto is pivotally mounted onthe inside of the holding plate 32 and is engageable with the ratchetwheel 60. The handle 64 enables the pawl 62 to be engaged or disengagedwith the ratchet wheel 60 as desired. I

A belt 66 having a free end 68 with a catch 70 attached to it isfastened to and rolled around the enlarged diameter section 50 of theshaft 46.

A flexible metal brake band 72 having a fixed end 74 and a free end 76'is lapped over the split cylinder 30. The fixed end 74 is fastened tothe web 20 of the I-beam 14 on the side opposite from the retainingplate 26 with an adjustable bolt 78. An outwardly extending stop 80 isfixed to the free end 76.

A bolt 82 is attached to the top of the free end 76 of the band 72 andextends through the orifice in the retaining plate 26. A spring 84 ispositioned around that portion of the bolt 82 extending below the plate26 and is biased against the underside of the plate 26 and against awasher 86 around the end of the bolt 82 which is held in place by a nut88.

A foot pedal 90 using the rod 24 as a fulcrum, extends through the slot22 in the web 20. One end of the foot pedal 90 is positioned underneaththe belt 82 and is in contact therewith; the other end is free. The footpedal may be extended as by means of bars (not shown) so that it can bedepressed from either side of the device.

In at rest position, the expansion action of the spring 84 draws theband 72 tightly around the split cylinder 30 maintaining the cylinder 30in the position it then occupies.

When the free end of the foot pedal 90 is depressed, the spring 82 iscompressed, relieving tension on the band 72. The cylinder 30 is thenfree to be moved to another position.

To operate the apparatus of the invention, a desired position for thecylinder 30 is selected. The foot pedal 90 is then actuated, releasingthe tension on the band 72, and the cylinder 30 is positioned in theselected position. Then the foot pedal 90 is released, allowing thespring 82 to expand, placing the band 72 under tension and locking thecylinder 30 into place.

Then a bumper 92 is placed on top of the notched plates 32 and 36 withat least one edge of the bumper digging into the notches on the topsurfaces 34 and 38 of the plates. The belt is then drawn over the bumper92 and the catch 70 is hooked onto one of the bars 40 or 42. The belt 66is then tightened by rotating the shaft 46 with a wrench. The belt 66 ismaintained in the tightened position with the ratchet wheel 60 and pawl62 interacting. The tight belt 66 holds the bumper 92 firmly on thenotched plates 32 and 36.

In an alternative embodiment (as shown in FIG. 4) the cylinder 30 isomitted and a cylindrical drum 94 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 96mounted between the rails 16 and 18 of the I-beam 14. The band 72 isthen lapped over the rotatable drum 94. In all other respects theapparatus is the same.

The adjustable device of this invention enables a bumper 92 to bemounted on it and rotated through a number of different working angleswithout the position of the bumper 92 on the device 10 having to beadjusted. The cylinder 30 is capable of being rotated through almost360, the limitation on the degree of rotation being that the bumper 92catches on one of the sides of the l-beam 14 as the cylinder 30 isrotated. Nevertheless, the number of working angles which can beachieved is practically without limit. The cylinder 30 may be continuousor split, and may even by omitted if desired.

The foot operated brake mechanism is time and energy saving, and freesboth hands for other uses. The brake mechanism holds the cylinder in anydesired position.

The modified embodiment l 10 of this invention comprises a rectangularbase 112 upon which is welded a vertically posi tioned l-beam support114 consisting of two parallel rails 116 and 118 connected by a web 120which extends approximately of the way up from the base 112 between therails 116 and 188. The web 120 has a slot 122 in it at the bottomthereof. An apertured retaining plate 126 is horizontally mountedbetween the rails 1 16 and 1 18 at one side of the web 120 and a similarapertured retaining plate 124 is secured between the rails 116 and 118at the other side of the web 120 and both plates protrude outwardlybeyond the edges of the rails 116 and 118.

Mounted on top of the l-beam support 114 is a semi-circular plate 115extending transversely between the rails 116 and 118. The plate 115forms a cradle type bearing support for a work-holder support assembly117 comprised of oppositely spaced side plates 119 and 121 which supportin between them a cylindrical hub or drum 128 stationarily securedthereto. The lower ends of the side plates 119 and 121 are attached asby welding to the concave side of a co-operating upper cradle member 123which fits into the lower stationary cradle plate 115 in rocking bearingcontact therewith. Both lateral edges of the upper cradle member 123 areprovided with curvilinear channel flanges 125 which project downwardlypast the lateral edges of the stationary cradle plate 115 and partlyunderneath thereof to thereby retain the work holder assembly 117 on thelower stationary cradle plate 115 and to keep both cradle plates 115 and123 in alignment with each other.

A rotatable split or continuous cylinder 130 is concentricallypositioned around the hub 128, a split cylinder being shown.

A rectangular holding plate 132 having a notched upper surface 134 iswelded to one edge of the cylinder 130 and another rectangular holdingplate 136 having a notched upper surface 138 is welded to the oppositeedge of the cylinder, in parallel relation to the holding plate 132.

A catch bar 140 is mounted between the holding plates 132 and 136 at oneof the ends of the plates. A rotary shaft and ratchet mechanism 144 ismounted between the opposite ends of the plates.

The rotary shaft and ratchet mechanism 144 in cooperation with the catchbar 140 is adapted to adjustably operate a tightening strap 166 for thesecurement of a work piece such as a bumper 192 on the notched holdingplates 132 and 136 as more fully shown and described in the foregoingdescription in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5.

A flexible metal brake band 172 having a fixed end 174 and a free end176 is lapped over the split cylinder 130. The fixed end 174 isadjustably fastened to the retaining plate 126 on the l-beam 120 on theside opposite from the retaining plate 124 with an adjustable bolt 178which extends through a slot 160 provided in the upper cradle member 123and corresponding aperturein the stationary cradle member 1 15.

A bolt 182 is attachedto the free end 176 of the brake band 172 andextends through the aperture in the retaining plate 124. A powerfulspring cartridge 184 is positioned on that portion of the bolt 182extending below the plate 124 and is biased against the underside of theplate 124 and against the end of the foot pedal 190.

The foot pedal 190 is pivoted on the support 114 and extends through theslot 122 in the web 120. One end of the foot pedal 190 is positionedunderneath the spring cartridge 184 and is in contact therewith; theother end is free for application of a force thereto counteracting theforce of the spring 184. The foot pedal may be extended as by means ofbars (not shown) so that it can be depressed from either side of thedevice.

In at rest position, the expansion action of the spring 184 draws thebrake band 172 tightly around the split cylinder 130 maintaining thecylinder 130 in the rotative position it then occupies on the hub 128.

When the free end of the foot pedal 190 is depressed, the spring 182 iscompressed, relieving tension on the brake band 172. The split cylinder130 is then free to be rotated to another position.

To operate the apparatus of the invention, a desired rotated positionfor the split cylinder 130 is selected. The foot pedal 190 is thenactuated, releasing the tension on the brake band 172, and the cylinder130 is rotated in the selected position. Then the foot pedal 190 isreleased, allowing the spring 182 to expand, placing the brake band 172under tension and locking the split cylinder 130 tightly into placearound the stationary hub 128.

A work piece such as a bumper 192 is placed on top of the notched plates132 and 136 with at least one edge of the bumper disposed within alignednotches on the top surfaces 134 and 138 of the plates. A tighteningstrap 166 is then drawn over the bumper 192 and hooked onto the bar 140.The strap'is then tightened by actuation of the ratchet mechanism 144 asmore in detail described in the afore mentioned copending application.The tightening strap holds the bumper 192 firmly on the notched plates132 and 136.

Referring particularily to FlGS. 8 and 9, if it is desired to tilt thework piece 192 towards one side or the other to perform a particularwork operation the pedal 190 is depressed to release the brake band 172thus removing load from the upper cradle member 123 which then can betilted within the lower cradle member towards the left as in FIG. 9 orright as in FIG. 8 as selected. Releasing of the foot pedal 190 causesthe spring 184 to expand to tighten brake band 172 around the cylinderthereby simultaneously placing clamping force on the cradle assembly tosecurely lock the cradle in the tilted position. The spring 184 is apowerful spring exerting a force of up to 2,000 lbs. to securely lockthe two cradle members 1 15 and 123 together.

The modified embodiment 110 of the invention enables a bumper 192 to beuniversally mounted on it and rotated through a number of difierentworking angles and tilted sideways without the position of the bumper192 on the device 110 having to be adjusted. The cylinder 130 is capableof being rotated through substantially the limitation on the degree ofrotation being that the bumper 192 catches on one of the sides of theI-beam 114 as the cylinder 130 is rotated and the cradle assembly iscapable of angling the work piece towards the right or left throughabout a 30 angle from the horizontal. Thus, the number of workingpositions which can be achieved is practically without limit.

The foot operated brake mechanism is time and energy saving, and freesboth hands for other uses. The brake mechanism securely holds thecylinder and cradle in any desired rotated and swivelled position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An adjustable device for holding a workpiece while work is beingperformed on it comprising a support means having a lower and an uppervertical component, axle means horizontally mounted on said uppervertical component, a rotatable cylinder concentrically mounted on saidaxle means, means having elements for engagement with the edges of abumper mounted on said rotatable cylinder, means for holding said bumperin position on said elements, means peripherally engaging said rotatablecylinder for holding said rotatable cylinder in a fixed position, meansfor releasing said cylinder from a fixed position, and means topivotally support said upper component on said lower vertical component.

2. In the device as defined in claim 1, said pivotal support comprisinga cradle assembly between said lower and said upper component to permitangular adjustment of said upper component relative to said lowercomponent.

3. ln the device as defined in claim 2, said means for holding andreleasing said cylinder being adaptable to simultaneously lock saidcradle assembly against relative rocking movement.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said means for holding said rotatablecylinder in a fixed position is a flexible brake band lapping saidcylinder and having one end attached to one side of said lower verticalcomponent and the other end is spring biased against a retaining meanson the opposite side of said lower vertical component, whereby saidbrake band is drawn tightly around an arc portion of said cylinderholding\' it in a fixed position, and locking said upper component tosaid lower component.

5. An adjustable device for holding an automobile bumper and the likewhile work is being performed on it comprising a base, an l-beamvertically mounted on said base, said l-beam comprising two parallelrails joined by a web which extends between said rails and which has anopening near said base; an outwardly extending retaining plate having anaperture therein horizontally mounted between said rails; a work supportpivotally mounted on top of said I-beam for angular adjustment relativethereto; a cylindrical hub horizontally mounted on said work supportbetween spaced side plates; a rotatable cylinder concentrically mountedaround said hub; at least two holding plates having notched uppersurfaces mounted in parallel on said rotatable cylinder, said holdingplates having a catch bar mounted therebetween at one of their ends, anda shaft having a ratchet wheel attached thereto mounted at the other oftheir ends; a flexible brake band lapping the top portion of saidcylinder, one end of said band being fastened to one side of said I-beamand the other end having a bolt attached thereto which extendsdownwardly through said aperture in said outwardly extending retainingplate horizontally mounted on said I-beam, and which is spring biasedagainst the underneath side of said plate to tension said brake band tothereby lock said cylinder against rotation and said work supportagainst angular displacement; a foot pedal having a first and second endextending through said opening in said web of said l-beam fulcrumed onsaid l-beam, said first end of said pedal being located under said boltwhereby a downward force on said second end of said pedal compressessaid spring thus relieving the tension on said brake band and allowingsaid cylinder to be rotated to a new position and said work support tobe angularily adjusted relative to said l-beam.

1. An adjustable device for holding a workpiece while work is beingperformed on it comprising a support means having a lower and an uppervertical component, axle means horizontally mounted on said uppervertical component, a rotatable cylinder concentrically mounted on saidaxle means, means having elements for engagement with the edges of abumper mounted on said rotatable cylinder, means for holding said bumperin position on said elements, means peripherally engaging said rotatablecylinder for holding said rotatable cylinder in a fixed position, meansfor releasing said cylinder from a fixed position, and means topivotally support said upper component on said lower vertical component.2. In the device as defined in claim 1, said pivotal support comprisinga cradle assembly between said lower and said upper component to permitangular adjustment of said upper component relative to said lowercomponent.
 3. In the device as defined in claim 2, said means forholding and releasing said cylinder being adaptable to simultaneouslylock said cradle assembly against relative rocking movement.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein said means for holding said rotatable cylinderin a fixed position is a flexible brake band lapping said cylinder andhaving one end attached to one side of said lower vertical component andthe other end is spring biased against a retaining means on the oppositeside of said lower vertical component, whereby said brake band is drawntightly around an arc portion of said cylinder holding it in a fixedposition, and locking said upper component to said lower component. 5.An adjustable device for holding an automobile bumper and the like whilework is being performed on it comprising a base, an I-beam verticallymounted on said base, said I-beam comprising two parallel rails joinedby a web which extends between said rails and which has an opening nearsaid base; an outwardly extending retaining plate having an aperturetherein horizontally mounted between said rails; a work supportpivotally mounted on top of said I-beam for angular adjustment relativethereto; a cylindrical hub horizontally mounted on said work supportbetween spaced side plates; a rotatable cylinder concentrically mountedaround said hub; at least two holding plates having notched uppersurfaces mounted in parallel on said rotatable cylinder, said holdingplates having a catch bar mounted therebetween at one of their ends, anda shaft having a ratchet wheel attached thereto mounted at the other oftheir ends; a flexible brake band lapping the top portion of saidcylinder, one end of said band being fastened to one side of said I-beamand the other end having a bolt attached thereto which extendsdownwardly through said aperture in said outwardly extending retainingplate horizontally mounted on said I-beam, and which is spring biasedagainst the underneath side Of said plate to tension said brake band tothereby lock said cylinder against rotation and said work supportagainst angular displacement; a foot pedal having a first and second endextending through said opening in said web of said I-beam fulcrumed onsaid I-beam, said first end of said pedal being located under said boltwhereby a downward force on said second end of said pedal compressessaid spring thus relieving the tension on said brake band and allowingsaid cylinder to be rotated to a new position and said work support tobe angularily adjusted relative to said I-beam.